Cigar bunching



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 29, 1925.

B. LIBERMAN CIGAR BUNCHING Filed Nov. 24. 1920 Dec. 29', 1925. 1,567,279

B. LIBERMAN CIGAR BUNCHING Filed NOV. 24, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lrwenfoz; rmalg Patented Dee. 29, 1925.

UNITE-D states Parent crehn Beam-rise.

epini'canta area mamas 24, 1920. Serial m5. 26,184.

To all tv'itom it may mm:

Be it known that I, BERNARD LIBERMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia, State "of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Method and Means for Ci-gar Bunching, of which the following is a spe'ci fioatioh.

The invention relates to in'llprovements in method and means for cigar benching.

Among the objects of the invention are the improved method and men's for forming and delivering into the groove or pocket of the rolling bed, exact and measured charges offtobacco, comprising the filler; for preventing the escape of filler at the ends of the bunch when delivered to the groove; for keeping the filler in place and the binder smooth and unimpaired during the rolling operation; for adjusting the dimensions of the'filler delivered to the groove of the rolling bed.

The invention comprises nethod and means for insuring a prolper and "even supply of scrap tobacco to the measuring and delivering device, for detecting foreign substances in the filler as the same moves toward said measuring and delivering device, for removing said foreign substances before the charge is delivered, for insuring a proper movement of the filler to the measuring means, and a proper introductioii and settling of the filler into said measuring pocket.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate, merely by Way of example, suitable means for effecting my invention:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a cigar bunching machine embodying my invention.

Figs. 1 1 1 and 1" are fragmentary sectional views showing the conductor and plunger in different positions.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of same.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section showing element 20 in the discharging position;

Fig. 4.- is a horizontal section on line 4 *t of Fig. 2-.

Fig. 5 is a detail in perspective of the rotating device abo .*e the measuring device.

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective ofthe funnel and conductor for delivering to the groove in the rolling bed;

' Similar numerals refer to similar parts u hout the Severa views The hopper 1 0 comprises the base portion 11, and the upwardly "extenthug frame coinp ng the diverging arms or corner sec downwardly to correspond to the spaces be tween said co rner sections 12, "and are removab'ly fitted in said angle frames, and each may be individually or independently removed or .partially removed from its normal position, to permit access to the hopper con'tents, in order to remove a foreign body which may be discovered in said contents and so as to cause a minimum disturbance of the balance of the contents.

The hopper 10 is provided with suitable s'tirrers such as the bars or fingers mounted or secured in the rotating shafts 16. Lower down near the discharge end of the hopper, and just above the pocket of the measuring device is the rotating shaft 17 to this shaft are secured the parallel arms or rods 18, by noeans of the connecting arms 19. The rods 18 are parallel to each other and to the axis of rotation 01' oscillation of the measuring and chargingdev'ce 20. This shaft 17 is also provided with the radiating arms or fingers 21; the extreme outer ends of which project beyond the peripheral path oftravel of the parallel rods 18.

The lower end of the hopper is provided with the are shaped flanges :22, 22 forming a seat for the upper side of the measuring and charging element. This element comprises a cylindrical body having a longitudinall extending recess or pocket 24. This body 20 is mounted on a shaft 23 jourhalcd in the supporting frame 25, which also supports the hopper 10. To this shaft 2?, is seclii'cd the crank 26 which is connected by the rod 27 to the lever 28 pivoted at 29 to the frame rn e'ar the bottom thereof. Lever 28 is provided with the roller 30 cooperating with the groove or channel on the rotating cam 31,. This cam 31 is mounted on the main driving shaft and, in its rotation, causes the rcciprbcation of lever 28, connecting rod 27 and the oscillation of the cylindrical body 20 troi'n the position shown in Fig; 3, in which it receives the charge from hopper 10, to the position in which it discharges to chute 33, and back again. It will be noted that the channel of cam 31, is so formed as to give a reasonably prompt movement of the body 20 from the receiving position to the discharging position and back again, but that a considerable portion of the channel, as at 34, is concentric with the axes of the cam, so as to cause a dwell of the body 20, while in the receiving position, to give time for the material forming the filler to work into the pocket or recess 24. It will alsobe noted that the sides of this channel 34 are slightly roughened or undulating to cause a continual slight shaking or agitation of body 20. This action is for the purpose of cooperating, while in the receiving position, with the other instrumentalities in filling the pocket, in that the shaking of the body 20, facilitates a settling of the tobacco more effectually in the pocket, and while in the discharging positon, this shaking action, facilitates in emptying the pocket into the chute, in that the filler is more readily dislodged from the pocket by said shaking or agitation. H I

The member or body 20 is shown with a knife, 35 lining one side of the pocket; this knife being adapted to cooperate with a knife 35, connected with the hopper, to sever any portions of scrap which may project above the margin ofthe pocket, as said margin passes under the edge'of the hopper wall. This feature is made the subject of a copending application.

The following feature however is claimed herein 7 A portion of the hopper adjacent one side of the body 20, and approximately in line of travel of the pocket, is cut away to form an opening 36 corresponding substantially in lengthto the length of the pocket 24. This opening 36 is normally covered and closed by the knife 35, and by the reinforcing plate or member 37 provided with one of the raw shaped flanges 22. The knife 35 and member 37 are removably connected to the body of hopper 10, being removable for the purpose of gaining access to the hopper near the bottom thereof, and to the recess or pocket 24 in order to remove foreign bodies from the tobacco therein, and is especially important for permitting the removal of hard bodies that may become lodged between the cooperating knives. Suitable securing means such as the screws 38, or any suitable form of catches may beused for such disengageably securing to the hopper, the elements 35' and 37, normally form the closure of opening 36.

As above stated the element 20 discharges or delivers measured charges of filler or scrap tobacco to the chute or trough 33. This chute in turn delivers to the funnel 39 I and delivering[conductor or channel 4Q,

which in turn delivers or discharges to the pocket 41, :tormedin the rolling bed 42., it

'end projections or wings 43.

Figs. 1 and 1. The usual plunger 49, sup-- ported on the rod 50, is also in the elevated position. This plunger serves to prevent the filler from passing from element 39 to element 40 as shown in Fig. 1 When the element 40 descends to the pocket 41, it precodes the descent of plunger 49, so that communication is established between 39 and 40 to permit the discharge of filler to pocket 41 as shown in Fig. 1". The plunger 49 then descends to press the filler in the pocket 41,

as in Fig. 1. In the reverse movei'nent, ele-' ment 40 precedes plunger 49, as in Fig. 1, which insures complete discharge of the filler from 40.

The conductor or channel element 40 has its greater, horizontal dimension corresponding substantially with the length .of the bunch to be formed. It is provided with the That is the walls of lesser horizontal dimensions extend below the margin of the walls of greater horizontal dimension, as shown in Fig. 6. These wings or projections 43 are of such dimension and shape as to fit neatly in the pocket 41, near the two outer ends thereof, and serve to prevent the displacement of the tobacco filler, delivered to said channel; especially during its compression by the plunger 49. It will also be noted that the conductor 40 is made in two parts, held together in slid-able engagement by any suitable ineans suchas the adjustably supported funnel actuating and supportingrods 45, so that the two sections, forming the conductor 40, may be tclescoped or drawn apart, as desired, to form a conductor of required cross-sectional dimensions.

The operation.

As will be noted the hopper ll) comprises the base or metallic portion 11 and the upper structure or frame 12 having the transparent panels 14. The tobacco, for example scrap tobacco, forming the filler is supplied to the hopper, and it is important that this supply should be kept above the level of the lower hopper section 11 and so that said supply can always be observed through the transparent panels. It is also important that the level of the supply should be kept well above the top of the base portion 11, in order to secure aproper distribution and mingling of the coarse wi the rise reside t te- Fig. 3, so that there is a constant movement of thetobacco particles in the region of travel of the stirring lingers within the hopper down-wzirdly toward the middle part and upwardly adjacent the walls thereof. Beneath the planeof operation of the stirring fingers l5,'is mounted the rotating shaft 17, parallel with the axis of member 20, and just'above thepocket 21%;; Upon this shaft, 17 are mounted the two parallel rods or bars 138. These bars are parallel with the axis of the shaftl-T and also parallel with the axis of the charging member 20, and as the sl'iaft 17 rotates, these bars or rods 13 not only serve to agitate the tobacco lying in the path of travel thereof, but also serve to feed and press the tobacco or filler into the charging pocket 24. In order to prevent these bars from packing the tobacco against the adjacent walls of the hopper the stirring lingers 21 are provided, also mounted on shaft 1", and extending beyond the peripheral' path of travel of the bars or rods 18, so

as to break up any tendency to packing of material within the influence of saidbars or rods 18 and also to cooperate with the general stirring and agitation of said tobacco filler. The rotation of the shafts 1'6 and i7 is effected in any suitable w v, such for example, as a train of gears driven from the main driving shaft of the machine. its the tobacco or tiller settles in the hopper, fresh tobacco is supplied thereto, and the required level can readily be watched through the transparent panels A. eign substance such as a nail or stone, or bit of wood becomes mixed with the tobacco filler in the hopper this may usually be le tected through one or the other of the glass panels lei, and that panel, whiclris nearest to said foreign substance, may belifted sutli ciently to permit the removal of said foreign substance with the minimum disturbance of the contents of the hopp r.

in case a foreign substance escapes deteclion and works its way to the bottom of the hopper, such substance or body wilt usually be caught upon the rotation of the charging member 20 between the cooperating knives 3-5 andf when-the same come together. In such case the rotation of member 20, due to a slipping belt or clutch. or other provision made for suclr emergency, will be stopped and the stationary knife, which is reniovably secured to the side of the hopper and-serves as a closure of the opening 36, istemporarily removed for the purpose ofwithdrawing such foreign substance, Wllr- In case some for upon the said knife 35 is returned to its place, and the operation of the machine proceedsr y During the movement of the tobacco filler from the hopper 10, 11, into the charging pocket 24:, the member 20, due to the roughened surfaces of the channel 34 of cam 31 as above described, is sharply shaken or agitated, to facilitate the settling of the material from the hopper into the pocket 24. e thus have in cooperation with the agitation or shaking of body or member 20, the stirringand agitation of the filler in the upper part of the hopper to maintain an even and uniform consistency of the filler, and a thorough stirring of the material or filler in the lower end of the hopper, cooperating with means for gently forcing the material into the pocket 24. In a similar way, while the pocket 24 is in the position discharging to the chute 33, the agitation or shaking of body 20 greatly facilitates the discharge of filler from the pocket.

It will also be noted that in the rotating movement ofmember 20 the cutting edge of knife 35moves with a shearing action across the cutting edge of knife 35 to sever any projecting portions of the tiller above the top margins of pocket 2a as said pocket passes under the arc-shaped flange formation of plate 22; This means is made the subject of a co-pending application, and is therefore not claimed herein, but the use of the stationary knife-blade as a removable closure for the opening 36 at the base of the hopper, is claimed herein.

It will be noted that as the member 20 roates from the receiving position shown in Fig. 3, to the position indicated in Fig. 3, the pocket discharges to the chute 33, which, in turn discharges to the funnel 39 and conlucting element lO. In order that the filler may be discharged to the bunching pocket 41- in approximately the proper dimension for the cigar to be made, means are provided for adjusting the cross-sectional dimensions of the funnel 3.9 and conductor 40. This consists in forming said funnel and conductor in sections by a vertical line of separation, so that one section adapted to telescope within the other when the same are moved in horizontal planes. These sections of the funnel and conductor are connected to the side nieinbers 44-, which .in turn are slidably mounted on the horizontal rods d5, so that said funnel and conductor elements may be moved to and away from each other desired. The said elements are locked, in the required position of adjustment, by the set screws 4:6.

lVhen the coiiducting channel or formation is lowered so that the ends 43 extend to the bottom of pocket 41, as in Fig. 1 the filler is discharged to said pocket, and the plunger l9 then descends to compress the filler therein between the ends ll of formation 40. This not only serves to retain the filler undisturbed in the pocket during the withdrawal of. the ends 41, but, since the filler is composed of moist or damp tobacco, the compression thereof by the plunger, within the pocket and between the projecting ends 41, serves to give the body of filler a set or coherence which is maintained until the same is enclosed by the binder.

hat I claim is j 1. In a cigar bunching device, the combination of a measuring and charging element having I a suitably dimensioned receiving space, means for agitating a supply of filler in proximityito said receiving space, and rotating means for simultaneously pressing filler into said receiving space.

2.In a cigar bunching device, the combination of a measuring and charging element having a suitably dimensioned receiving space, means for supplying filler to said receiving space and means for agitating said element, during the charging thereof, to facilitate the settling of the filler therein.

3. In a cigar bunching device, the combination of a measuring and charging element, having a suitably dimensioned receiving space, means for supplying filler to.- said receiving space, means for moving the charging element from receiving to discharging position and vice versa, and means for agitating said charging element while in the discharging position.

4. In a cigar bunching machine, the combination of a bunching apron, means operating upon the apron to form a bunching pocket and to close the ends of said pocket, means for delivering measured charges of iiller to said pocket and means for pressing the entire upper surface of the charge into a horizontal plan below the margin of the pocket.

5. In a cigar bunching machine, the combination of a bunching apron, means operating upon the apron to form a bunching pocket and to close the ends of said pocket, means for delivering measured charges of filler to said pocket and means for pressing the entire upper surface of the charge into a horizontal plan below the margin of the pocket during the withdrawal of said deliv- (ring means.

(i. In a cigar bunching machine, the combination of a bunching apron and means forming a bunching pocket therein, means forming a channel for directing measured charges of filler tosaid pocket provided with end projections for closing the ends of the pocket during delivery of filler thereto,

and a plunger operating to compress the filler in the pocket, while the ends thereof are closed.

7. In a cigar bunching machine, the com bination of a bunching apron, means operating upon the apron to form a bunching pocket and to close the ends of said pocket,

means for delivering measured charges of liller to said pocket and means for pressing the entire upper surface of the charge into a horizontal plan below the margin of the pocket until after the Withdrawal of said for receiving therefrom measured charges to form a filler, the said hopper being provided with a portand a closure for said port adjacent the point of discharge to the measuring device.

10. In a cigar bunching machine the combination of a measuring and charging element comprising an oscillatory member having a receiving pocket of required dimensions, a hopper delivering thereto, a rotating element having extensions parallel with the axis of the oscillatory member and adapted to pass across the mouth of the pocket, said rotating member also provided with projecting fingers moving in planes at right angles with said axis.

11. In a cigar bunching machine the com bination of a measuring'and charging element comprising an oscillatory member having a receiving pocket of required dimension, a hopper delivering thereto, a rotating element having extensions parallel with the axis of the oscillatory member and adapted to pass across the mouth of the pocket, said rotating member also provided with projecting fingers moving in planes at right angles with the said axis and having ends extending beyond the peripheral path of said parallel extensions.

12. In a cigar bunching machine the combination of a measuring and charging element comprising an oscillatory member having a receiving pocket of required dimensions, means for rocking the oscillator member with a dwell between rocking movements, and means acting during said dwell for agitating the said oscillatory member to facilitate the settling of the charge therein.

13. In a cigar bunching machine the combination of a measuring and charging element comprising an oscillatory member hav ing a receiving pocket of required dimensions, means for conveying the'chargedeill livered by the measuring element to the groove of the rolling bed, said means including a conductor provided with horizontally telescoping side Walls and having the margins of its end Walls projecting beyond the margins of its side Walls, said projecting portions having marginal contours corresponding to the cross-sectional contour of the groove to form stops near the ends of said groove.

14. In a cigar bunching machine the combination of a measuring and charging element comprising an oscillatory member having a receiving pocket of required dimensions, a hopper delivering thereto, provided with inclined corner extensions forming ways, and panels of transparent material remevably seated in said ways.

15. In a cigar bunching machine, the combination of a measuring and charging element comprising an oscillatory member having a. receiving pocket of required dimensions, and a hopper delivering thereto, said hopper comprising a construction providing channels, and glass panels slidably positioned in said channels and each independently removable therefrom.

16. In a cigar bunching machine the combination of a measuring and charging ele ment comprising an oscillatory member having a receiving pocket of required dimensions, a hopper delivering thereto, provided with a port in the Wall adjacent the point of delivery of the hopper to said receiving pocket and a removable closure for said port.

17. In a cigar bunching machine, the combination of a measuring and charging ele' ment comprising an oscillatory member having a receiving pocket of required dimensions, a hopper delivering thereto, means forming a knife edge as one margin of said pocket, the hopper being provided with a port adjacent the oscillatory member, and a removable closure for said port provided with a knife for cooperating with the kn fe edge margin of the pocket.

18. In a cigar bunching machine, the combination of a measuring and charging element and a hopper delivering thereto, said hopper provided with corner extensions flan ing upwardly and forming Ways ror side Walls removably seated therein.

BERNARD LIBERMAN. 

